The name dracaena is derived from the romanized form of the Ancient Greek δράκαινα – drakaina, "female dragon".

[citation needed] Many species of Dracaena are kept as houseplants due to tolerance of lower light and sparse watering.

[8] Some shrubby species, such as D. fragrans, D. surculosa, D. marginata, and D. sanderiana, are popular as houseplants.

[14] A naturally occurring bright red resin, dragon's blood, is collected from D. draco and, in ancient times, from D. cinnabari.

[a] It also has social functions in marking graves, sacred sites, and farm plots in many African societies.